If you are choosing a career in acting, modeling, or advertising just because you think it is cool and exciting, think again. A good, seemingly cool job might not be as cool as you expect it to be; the idea of coolness is based on just a stereotype. So while zeroing in on your career options it is highly recommended that you do a reality check on your decision. Here’s a little myth busting:

Acting/ Modeling:

Sure, you might have the looks of a supermodel, but that is not the only thing that matters in this profession. The very first problem that a newbie in tinsel town has to face is competition. There are thousands of aspiring young models running around from pillar to post to get a role in a washing powder advertisement. So get ready to face rejections and compromises. Even if you make it to the spotlight somehow, your woes might not end there. Odd working hours, long outdoor schedules, social and moral obligations of being a role model in the society, and a hectic lifestyle are just some of the changes that are part and parcel of this profession, all of which make it quite tough to manage.

News Anchor:

Being an anchor on a news channel and holding politicians accountable to the public and exposing injustice is definitely an enviable job to have. It is good to be inspired by the likes of Barkha Dutt and Rajdeep Sardesai––India’s acclaimed television journalists––but if you study these personalities closely, you will find that this job is a strict ‘no-no’  for the fainthearted. Journalism is not just about reading the news off the teleprompter; it is about being sharp and shrewd at all times. When you are on air, you cannot afford to be lax even for a moment. You need to be very meticulous in asking the right questions at the right time to the right people. You may have to interview anyone––from a prime minister to an angry protester on the street––and you will have to do it with the same vigor. To actually become a news presenter, it may take you at least a few years as a field reporter.

Advertising:

Of late, advertisements have been creating a buzz among us with their interesting concepts and catchy slogans that have become a part of our everyday conversations. However, if you are eyeing a career in advertising––having a sense of humor isn’t the only qualification required. You might have a certificate in graphic designing, but still you must prepare yourself to face hardcore challenges not just from the competitors of the ad agency you work for, but also from your own peers who are eyeing top positions in your company. Besides, you may not actually be given the creative department at all. You could be handling the accounts or the media plans. And once you’re in the job, you’re all but married to it.

Radio Jockey:

Truly, it is quite difficult to describe the feeling when the whole city tunes in to listen to your voice and appreciates your interesting quips. Sounds fun to get paid to simply talk, doesn’t it? Well, technically, you are blabbering from a script that you have to unwaveringly follow. It is a 9-to-5 job that demands that you help around on other shows; once your show is over you cannot afford to go home and relax. Contrary to popular notions, you do not get to select the songs to be played, so stop taking requests from friends already. Radio stations have a separate department that handles the songs to be played on air and the time too. You might also have to host a lot of late night shows. So a career in radio jockeying may not be as much fun as it seems to be.

In reality, there is nothing called ‘cool careers’.  Mass mentality and stereotypes are responsible for just another normal job seeming cooler than others.  Remember that success is not a one-night wonder––it always comes with a price. So, look before you leap; never take up a profession solely on its cool quotient. Any profession can be interesting if you have the right attitude and passion towards it.